Shirt support



J. LEPORE SHIRT SUPPORT July 12, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 20, 1951 I N V EN TOR. Jsepfi Z goo/e July 12, 1955 J. LEPORE 2,712,888

SHIRT SUPPORT Filed Nov. 20, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

F 5 JEsepfi Iqoore L9 fidiW July 12, 1955 J LEPORE 2,712,888

SHIRT SUPPORT Filed NOV. 20, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N V EN TOR. Zepore July 12, 1955 J. LEPORE 2,712,888

SHIRT SUPPORT Filed Nov. 20, 1951 July 12, 1955 .1. LEPORE 2,712,888

SHIRT SUPPORT Filed Nov. 20, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

July 12, 1955 J. LEPORE 2,712,888

I SHIRT SUPPORT Filed Nov. 20, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TOR.

July 12, 1955 J. LEPORE 2,712,838

SHIRT SUPPORT Filed Nov. 20, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I N V EN TOR. i L spore United States Patent ShlRT SUPPGRT Joseph Lepore, Dover, N. J., assignor to David D. Boniger 8; Co., Inc, 1 ew York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 20, 1951, Serial No. 257,324

18 Claims. (Cl. 22371) The present invention relates to shirt-supports and particularly to temporary disposable cardboard inserts around which shirts are folded, as, for inst nee, by the original manufacturer or by a launderer, to prevent wrinkling of the shirt and to keep the garment in neat, wearable and salable condition during transportation, storage, display and/ or handling thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide a shirtinsert which supports the shirt-collar both in elevated or propped-up position and in downwardly-folded or flattened position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shirt-support which permits the collar of the shirt to be laid fiat during transportation and storage and which permits the collar to be propped-up or elevated to an upstanding position, and which retains and supports the collar in the upstanding position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unitary shirt-support which permits the shirt to be displayed, selectively, with the collar laid flat against the body of the shirt or with the collar supported and proppedup from the body of the shirt.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shirt-support which permits the shirt to be compacted so as to occupy a minimum amount of vertical space in a storage container and which permits the shirt-collar to be elevated or propped-up to a greater vertical height during display thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an integral collar-support for a shirt-board which permits the collar selectively to be laid fiat or elevated and which includes means to retain the collar-support either in flat or elevated position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shirt-board or support for a folded shirt; said support constructed and arranged to give the impression that the folded shirt containing said support has no support therein; said support also adapted automatically to elevate the shirt-collar to an upstanding position away from the body of the shirt.

Further objects will be apparent by reference to the appended specification, claims and drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a folded shirt with the collar of said shirt in elevated position.

Figure 2 represents a perspective view of a folded shirt, similar to Figure l, but showing the shirt-collar in depressed or flattened position.

Figure 3 represents a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 represents a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 represents a top plan of a shirt-support, prior to folding thereof, representing one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 represents a fragmentary perspective view of the shirt-support of the embodiment shown in Figure 5, folded, interlocked and adjusted whereby to hold a shirt collar in elevated position.

Figure 7 represents a vertical crosssectional view taken generally along line 77 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 represents a fragmentary perspective view, similar to Figure 6, but showing a shirt-support representing another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 represents a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally along line 9 of Figure 8.

Figure 18' represents a fragmentary perspective view, similar to Figure 8, of a shirt-support representing still another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 represents a vertical cross-sectional View taken generally along line f.ll1 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 represents a fragmentary perspective view, similar to Figures 6, 8 and it), of a shirt-support showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 represents a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally along line of Figure 12.

Figure 14 represents plan view of one end of a shirtsupport, prior to folding, representing another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 represents a fragmentary perspective View of the shirt-support shown in Figure 14, with the elements thereof folded, interlocked and adjusted to support a shirtcollar in elevated position.

Figure 16 represents a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally along line l616 of Figure 15.

Figure 17 represents a fragmentary perspective View of a shirt-support representing still another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 18 represents a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally along line l8l8 of Figure 17.

Figure l9 represents a fragmentary perspective view of a shirt-support representing still another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 20 represents a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally along line 2il-2il of Figure 19.

Figure 21 represents an exploded plan View of a shirtsupport representing another embodiment of the present invention, with the elements thereof separated so as more readily to show the construction of each element.

Figure 22 represents a perspective view of the shirtsupport illustrated in Figure 21, with the elements interconnected and adjusted to support a shirt-collar in depressed or flattened position.

Figure 23 represents a perspective view, similar to Figure 22, of the shirt-support illustrated in Figure 21, with the elements of the shirt-support adjusted to elevate a shirt-collar to upstanding position.

Figure 24 is a perspective View, similar to Figure 22, but showing a shirt-support representing still another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 25 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 23, of the shirt-support illustrated in Figure 24, with the elements of the shirt-support adjusted to elevate the shirtcollar to upstanding position.

For many years it has been the practice to use stiff cardboard inserts within or behind the folded bodyportion and collar of a newly-manufactured or freshlylaundered shirt whereby to support and protect the shirt during handling, transportation, storage and display; the collar-insert portion of the shirt-insert being a generally rectangular portion constructed and arranged to be inserted into the collar and support said collar in a flattened position (generally in the plane of the body of the board) shirt. t

the collar, at the front thereof, to hold the collar in elevated position out of the plane of the folded shirt.

This general type of packaging of shirts (which has come into almost universal use for the last ten years or more) provides a support to elevate the collar of the shirt for merchandising purposes; that is, to make the shirt look attractive to the customer when on the retail merchants counter or display shelf or when it is returned freshly laundered by a commercial laundry or the like.

The demand to have the collars supported in elevated position has been so great that it is quite difficult and disadvantageous to merchandise shirts with the collars laid flat or folded against the body of the shirt.

However, packaging shirts with the collar in elevated position is disadvantageous because it reduces the number of shirts which can be packaged in a single cardboard box a and also reduces the number of shirts which can be displayed on a merchants display-shelf, because of the increased vertical dimensions or thickness of the shirt when the collars are so elevated. As an example,'a 4 /z high,

shirt-box customarily contains only three shirts with the 49 are formed in the body 31 intermediate the fold-lines collars all propped up or elevated from thebody of the This increases the overall packaging costs and greatly increases the cost of storing and shipping (including what may be called the warehousing storage as well as what may be called the forward selling storage; that is, the

storing of merchandise which is on display on the retailers shelves and on the retailers counters).

. By the present invention, a packaged shirt support is provided wherein the shirt-collar (of a shirt folded about the support) is not elevated, as in the prior practice, but wherein the collar can be flattened out while being transported and/or stored, and then elevated (and retained in elevated position) only when the shirt is actually presented to a customer or only in respect to the uppermost shirt of a pile or stack of four or five or six shirts (as they are sometimes put on the display counters). Thus, with the present invention, six shirts can be put into the same shipping box or shirt-box wherein only three shirts had heretofore been packaged, and warehouse storagespace can be reduced and the retailers display-area can be reduced one-half. In the alternative, twice as many shirts can be stored in warehouses or displayed upon retail shelves.

With the above and other objects in view as will appear more fully from the following description and accompanying drawings, the present invention consists of a relatively form-retaining panel or body constructed and arranged to be inserted behind a shirt and around which the sides of the shirt and the sleeves of the shirt can then be folded; said panel having an integral hinged collarprop extending therefrom and connected therewith along one edge, and a stay or brace intermediate said collarprop and. said panel, so constructed and arranged that when the collar-prop is turned up or swung upwardly about its hinge, the stay or brace will keep the prop in 'its up-folded position (transverse to the plane of the panel). The panel, prop and stay are so constructed and arranged that if it is desired to move the collar to a flat or down-folded position, the stay will yield and permit the collar to be'laid flat. flattening of the collar-prop with the shirt-support of the present invention, can be repeated as many times as desired.

The shirt-support of the present invention may also Moreover, the elevating and include resilient means for elevating the collar-prop so that when the shirt (folded around the shirt-support) is taken out of storage (where it has been compressed and 4 held flat by the box-lid and by the other shirts in the box), the collar will be elevated automatically.

The shirt-support 30, representing one embodiment of the present invention, includes a body or panel 31 which is generally rectangular in shape and is constructed to be placed behind a newly-manufactured or freshlylaundered shirt so that the sides and tail-portion and arms of the shirt may be folded therearound and secured thereagainst. A collar-prop 33 is integrally secured or hinged to the end 32 of the body 31 as along the foldline 34.

A tongue or stay 35 is formed integrally with the collar-prop 33 as by slitting the panel 31 and prop 33 along the lines 36, 37 and 38. The slits 36 and 38 cross the fold-line 34 and each slit terminates, atone end, in the prop 33 transversely to and in spaced relation to the fold-line 34.

A tab 39 is formed integrally with the body 31 as by cutting along lines 40, 41 and 42. A fold-line 43 intervenes the ends 44 and 45 of slits 40 and 42, respectively, whereby the tab 39 may be swung about the fold-line 43 and pivoted out of the plane of the body 31.

A pair of arcuate slits 46 and 47 are formed in the tab 30 and are so disposed therein that the ends 46-a and 47-a are generally in alignment with the slits 36 and 33, respectively.

In addition, a pair of angularly-disposed slits 48 and 34 and 43. The corner 39-a (formed by the slits 40 and 41) of the tab 39 may be inserted into the slit 48 and the corner 39b (formed by the slits 41 and 42) may be inserted into the slit 49 when the tab 39 is folded about the fold-line 43, whereby to retain the tab 39 against either surface of the body 31.

When the tab 39 is pivoted about the line 43 and the corners thereof inserted into the slits 48 and 49, the stay 35 may be brought into operative juxtaposition with the tab 39. The edges (formed by the slits 36 and 38) of the stay 35 are inserted into the slits 46 and 47, respectively, of the tab 39, frictionally engaging the converging ends thereof. The collar-prop 33 will be retained in the plane of the body portion 31 by frictional engagement between the stay 35. and the tab 39. However, when it is desired to elevate the collar-prop 33 (and the collar surrounding said prop), the prop 33 may be pivoted about the fold-line 34 so as to extend away from the body portion 31 at an angle thereto. When the collar-prop 33 is so-elevated, the stay 35' pivots about the fold-line 50 and slides through the slits 46 and 47, in frictional engagement with the tab 39.

When the collar-prop 33 is elevated, the friction between the stay 35 and the slits 46 and 47 of the tab 39 is sufficient to retain the stay 35 at an angle to the body 31.

When it is desired to fold the collar fiat, the collarprop 33 may be pivoted to its extended position (lying in the plane of the body 31) merely by pushing against the upper edge of the collar sufliciently to overcome the friction between the stay 35 and tab 39.

The shirt-support 51, representing another embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figures 8 and 9, is similar to the shirt-support illustrated in Figures 3 to 7, inclusive, except that the tab 52, instead of having arcuate slits (similar to the slits 46 and 47) has a pair of straight slits 53 and 54 formed therein generally parallel to the fold-line 55.

In the support 51, the tab 35 is inserted first through the slit 54 and then through the slit 53.

'The slits 53 and 54 are of a length generally the same as (or only slightly longer than) the width of the stay 35 and thus a firm frictional engagement is maintained between the tab 52 and the tab 35 after the tab is passed through the slits 53 and 54.

In the support 51, the stay 35 is threaded through the I posed above the tab 52 after passing through the slit 53. With the stay 35 and the tab 52 so assembled, the collar-prop may be pivoted from its elevated position toward the tab 52 and depressed against the upper surface of the body; the free end of the stay 35 moving toward and above the aperture formed in the body 31 by removal of the tab 52 therefrom. Thus, the collarprop of the shirt-support 51 may be pivoted approximately 180 from the plane of the body 31, with the stay 35 maintaining frictional contact with the tab 52, at all times.

The shirt-support 56 representing another embodiment is illustrated in Figures and 11 and is similar to the support 51 except that the tab 52 is folded beneath the panel or body 31.

In the support 56, the tongue or stay passes first through the slit 54 and then through the slit 53 so that the free end of the stay is disposed beneath the tab 52 and beneath the body portion 31.

Another embodiment of the present invention is the L support 57, illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, and is similar to the support 56 except that the edges 58 and 59 of the stay 35 (corresponding generally to the slits 36 and 38, respectively) are undulating or serrated,

whereby to provide a plurality of abutments or shoul- -2 ders on the stay 35 adapted to engage the tab 52 at the ends of the slits 53 and 54 as the stay passes therethrough.

This construction increases the frictional engagement between the stay 35 and the tab 52 and more positively retains the collar-prop 33 in elevated position.

In the support 57, the stay 35 passes first beneath the edge 41 of the tab 52, then upwardly through the slit 54 and then downwardly through the slit 53, with the free end of the stay disposed between the tab 52 and the body-portion 31. Thus, the free end of the stay 35 is adapted to abut the tab- 52 and the body 31 along the fold-line 55 when the collar-prop 33 is in fully elevated position transverse to the body-portion 31 (did: posed generally at 90 thereto). The shirt-support 55 thus includes stop-means for limiting the forward or tip-swinging movement of the collar-prop to a position at approximately 90 to the body 31.

It is to be understood that in the shirt-supports illustrated in Figures 1 to 13, inclusive, the tab 39 (or 52) optionally and selectively may be pivoted about the fold-line 43 (or 55) either above the body 31 (as Figures 6, 8 or 12) or beneath the body 31 (as in Figure 10), and the stay 35 may be inserted through the slits in the tab 39 (or 52) so that the free end of the stay is disposed externally of the tab (as in Figures 1, 8 and 10) to permit 180 movement of the stay 35 from the plane of the body 31, or the stay may be dis posed with the free end between the tab 39 (or 52) and the body-portion 31 (as shown in Figure 12) where by to provide means for limiting the up swinging of the collar-prop 33 to a position generally transverse to the body-portion 31.

In another embodiment of the present invention represented by the shirt-support 69, illustrated in Figures 14, 1S and 16, a tongue or stay 61, similar to the stay 35, is formed with an aperture 62 generally centrally disposed between the slits 63 and 64 and near the slit 65. In addition, a tab 66 is formed in the body 31 near the slit 63 and another tab 67 is formed near the slit 6 generally in alignment with the aperture 62. The tab 66 is pivotable about the fold-line 68 and the tab 67 pivotable about the fold-line 69; said foldlines 68 and 69 being generally parallel to the edges 63 and 64- of the stay 61.

As is illustrated particularly in Figure 15, the support 69 is adjusted for use by first lifting the tongue 61 from the plane of the body 31 and then folding the tab 67 180 about the fold-line 69 to a position beneath the tongue 61 and above the panel 31.

Thereafter, the tongue 61 is folded downwardly above the tab 67, and the tab 66 is pivoted about the fold-line 68 to overlie the tongue 61..

Then a staple 70 (or similar securing device) is pushed through the tab 66 (in alignment with the aperture 62), through the aperture 62 in the tongue 61, and through the tab 67, and clinched securely therebehind to draw the tabs together against the tongue.

The aperture 62 is sufliciently long (parallel to the slits 63 and 64) to permit the tongue 61 to move relative to the tabs 66 and 67 whereby the collar-prop 33 may be fully elevated transversely to the body 31, or moved forwardly (toward the tabs 66 and 67) or rearwardly (to lie in the plane of the body 31), and thus provides a collar-prop and shirt-board wherein the collar of a shirt, folded about the support 60, may, selectively, be fully elevated or folded flat, either forwardly or rearwardly.

The shirt-support 71, illustrated in Figures 17 and 18, includes a generally rectangular tongue 72 formed separately and independently of the body 77 and prop 73 but securely aflixed to the collar-prop 73 (as by gluing, stapling or in any other manner) in spaced relation to the pivot line 78.

A plurality of slits 74, 75 and 76 are formed in the body 77, generally parallel to the fold-line 78, and the free end of the tongue 72 is passed first through the slit 76 and then through the slits 75 and 74.

Thus, in a manner similar to that described above, the tongue 72 is frictionally held against the body 77, whereby to support the collar prop 73 and yet permit it to be swung about the fold-line 78, either to elevate or to depress the collar supported thereby.

The shirt-support 79 illustrated in Figures 19 and 20 is similar to the support 71, except that the tongue 72-a includes a headed free end 89, adapted to pass through the slit 81 in the body '77. The end 72-11 provides shoulders 82 adapted to abut the body 77 at the slit 81 when the prop 73 is fully elevated. The collar-prop 73 may be folded forwardly (toward the slit 81) but is limited in its rearward or up-swinging movement to a position generally at a right angle to the body 77 by engagement of the shoulders 32 on the headed body 77 adjacent the slit 81.

The shirt-support 84 illustrated in Figures 21 to 23, inclusive, is constructed and arranged to give the impression, to one handling a shirt folded therearound, that there is no shirt-support within the folded shirt. The support 84 includes a body 85 having an integral collar-prop 86 secured thereto along the fold-line 87. Each of the side edges 88 and 89 of the body 85 is notched or indented, as at 90 and 91, respectively, and a pair of pivot-holes 92 is formed in the body 85 near the juncture between the lower edge of the notches and the lower edge 93 of the body 85.

A pair of arcuate slits 94 is disposed in the body 85 between the pivot-holes 92 and the collar-prop 86, with the center of the radius of the arcuate slits 94 being coincidental with the pivot-holes 92.

A plurality of slits 95, 96 and 97 are formed in the body 85, generally in alignment with the collar-prop 86 A tongue 98, generally rectangular in shape, is secured to the collar-prop 86, above fold-line 87, and is adapted to swing about its pivot line 99 so that the free end thereof may be inserted first through slit 95, then through slit 96 and then through slit 97, whereby frictionally to secure the tongue 98 to the body 85 in the manner described hereinabove.

A pair of cam-shoulders 1013 is formed in the tongue 98, between the pivot line 99 and the free end thereof, and are disposed, in all positions of the tongue 98 (in relation to the body 85) intermediate the slit and the fold-line 87.

A pair of pivotable side-members 101, generally rectang'ular'in shape, each having a tab 102 and a'pivothole 103 therein, is constructed and arranged pivotably to be secured to the body-panel 85 with the edges 104 disposed slightly below the arcuate slits 94 and with the tabs 102 operatively disposed within the slits 94.

The pivot-holes 103'are adapted to be aligned with the pivot-holes 92 and with an eyelet or rivet or similar pivotpin 105 passing therethrough.

Each of the panels 101 includes a camedge' 106 constructed and arranged to engage a cam-shoulder 100 formed in the tongue 98.

When the collar-prop 86 is pivoted forwardly (i. e., toward the slit 95) and the tongue 98 is moved toward the edge 93 of the body 85, the shoulders 100 in the tongue 98 about the cam-edges 106 of the side panels 101 (with the side panels generally vertically disposed; i. e., with the outer edges thereof generally in alignment with the edges 88 and 89 of the body 85).

The shirt-support 84 is constructed and arranged to have a shirt folded thereabout with the side panels 101 fully extended and with the collar-prop 86 folded downwardly and forwardly. In this position, the folded shirt and shirt-support may be packed fiat and compactly in a container for shipment or storage.

When it is desired to display the shirt folded about the shirt-support 84, the folded shirt may be lifted from the container and the sides thereof pressed inwardly. This compression or inward folding of the sides of the shirt pivots the side panels 101 about the pivots 105, with the tabs 102 guided in the slits 94, and forces the cam-edges 106 against the cam-shoulders 100 in the tongue98, thereby to urge the tongue 98 in the direction of the arrow'107. This camming movement of the side panels 101 is sufiicient to overcome the frictional engagement between the tongue 98 and the body panel 85 (where the tongue 98 passes through the slits 95, 96 and'97) and moves the collar-prop 86 to an elevated position transverse to the body-panel 85.

Thus, the shirt-collar may be elevated automatically to an upstanding position as the clerk lifts the folded shirt from the container and presents it to the purchaser for inspection. If the shirt is to be replaced in the con tainer after being displayed, the collar (and collar-prop 86) may be folded forwardly and downwardly to a flattened position, with the cam-shoulders 100 sliding along the cam-edges 106 to move the side panels 101 to extended position.- p i The shirt-support 108 illustrated in Figures 24 and 25 is similar to the shirt-support 84 except that the cam-edges 106 on the panels 101, and the cam-shoulders 100 on the tongue 98 are eliminated. In this embodiment, the panels 101 and the tongue 98 are interconnected by links 109.

The links 109 are constructed and arranged and are connected to the tongue 98 and the panels 101 so that the collar-prop 86 may be folded rearwardly and downwardly (to extend generally in the plane of the body 85) when the outer edges of the side panels 101 are in alignment with the side edges 88 and 89 of the body 85.

Then, when the folded shirt is to be displayed, and the side panels 101 are pivoted inwardly about the pivots 105, the links 109 will draw the tongue 98 in a direction opposite to the arrow 107 and elevate the collar-prop 86 transverse to the body 85..

Similarly, when the collar-prop 86 (and the shirtcollar disposed thereabout) is moved rearwardly to a flattened position, the tongue 98 and the links 107 will pivot the panels 101 outwardly to bring the outer edges thereof in'alignment with the side edges 88 and 89 of the body 85. t

The collar-props 33, 73 or 86 may also be constructed and arranged with a spring-member interconnecting the said prop and the body of the shirt-support. The collarprop (and shirt-collar) may be moved to a flattened position (against the action of the spring) and then when the folded shirt is removed from a carton, the spring auto! '8 matically will elevate the collar-prop to a position trans.- verse to the body.

The spring-member so contemplated may be a torsion spring suitably inter-connected between the collar-prop and the body-panel, or it may be a rubber band or tension spring or the like having one end secured to the collarprop between the outer edge thereof and the fold-line of said collar-prop, and having the other end secured to the body-panel remote from said fold-line.

Or, alternatively, the folded shirt may be secured in position about the shirt-support with the collar thereof secured to the collar-propand with a portion of the bosom of the shirt stretched tautly across the body-panel and secured around the lower edge of the panel (either by folding or pinning or the like) in a manner which permits the collar and collar-prop to be folded fiat but which folding or flattening of the collar tensions the bosom of the shirt so that when the folded shirt is lifted from the carton, the inherent tension across the bosom of the shirt will pull the collar and collar-prop to an elevated position.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is the following:

1. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay having a portion thereof in contact with said body and a portion thereof in contact with said prop, said stay constructed and arranged movably to support said prop relative to said body, said body, prop and stay constructed and arranged whereby the distance between the'body-contacting portion and the prop-contacting portion of said stay is changeable when said prop is pivoted about said body, said stay being elongated and having one end pivotably secured to said prop and the other end in sliding frictional engagement with said body, a tab secured to said body, said tab constructed and arranged to be pivoted about a line parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, said tab having a slit therein disposed generally 7 parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, and the body-contacting portion of said stay constructed and arranged to pass through said slit.

.2. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop V hingedly secured to said body, a stay having a portion thereof in contact with said body and a portion thereof in contact with said prop, said stay constructed and arranged movably to support said prop relative to said body, said body, prop and stay constructed and arranged I whereby the distance between the body-contacting portion and the prop-contacting portion of said stay is changeable when said prop is pivoted about said body, said stay being elongated and having one end pivotably secured to said prop and the other end in sliding frictional engagement with said body, said body having a tab formed integrally therewith and constructed and arranged to pivot about a line transverse to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, and a frictional-member on said tab constructed and arranged frictionally and movably to secure the body-contacting portion of said stay to said tab.

3. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay having a portion thereof in contact with said body and a portion thereof in contact with said prop, said stay constructed and arranged movably to support said prop relative to said body, said body, prop and stay constructed and arranged whereby the distance between the body-contacting portion and the prop-contacting portion of said stay is changeable when said prop is pivoted about said body,

said stay being elongated and having one end pivotably secured to said prop and the other end in sliding frictional engagement with said body, said body having a slit therein disposed generally parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, and the body-contacting portion of said stay constructed and arranged to pass through said slit, the body-contacting portion of said stay having a plurality of shoulders formed therein and constructed and arranged to engage said body adjacent said slit to limit the pivoting movement of said prop.

4. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay having a portion thereof in contact with said body and a portion thereof in contact with said prop, said stay constructed and arranged movably to support said prop relative to said body, said body, prop and stay constructed and arranged whereby the distance between the body-contacting portion and prop-contacting portion of said stay is changeable when said prop is pivoted about said body, said stay being elongated and haviru one end pivotably secured to said prop and the other end in sliding frictional engagement with said body, said body having a plurality of slits therein disposed generally parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, and the body-contacting portion of said stay constructed and arranged to be threaded through each of said slits.

5. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay formed from said body and said prop and integrally secured to said prop along a pivot-line parallel with and in spaced relation to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, a plurality of tabs formed from said body and secured thereto along pivot-lines transverse to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, each tab constructed and arranged to be pivoted approximately 180 about its pivotline into juxtaposition with the other tab, said stay constructed and arranged to be disposed between said tabs, and a tab-connector secured to each of said tabs and frictionaliy drawing said tabs into contact with said stay whereby frictionaily and adjustably to support said prop at an angle to said body.

6. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay having a portion thereof in contact with said body and a portion thereof in contact with said prop, said stay constructed and arranged movably to support said prop relative to said body, said body, prop and stay constructed and arranged whereby the distance between the body-contacting portion and the prop-contacting portion of said stay is changeable when said prop is pivoted about said body, said stay being elongated and having one end pivotably secured to said prop and the other end in sliding frictional engagement with said body, said body having a tab formed integrally therewith, said tab constructed and arranged to be pivoted about a line parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, a curved slit in said tab, the ends of said slit being generally in alignment with one edge of said stay, a portion of said stay disposed in said slit and frictionally engaging said tab.

7. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay having a portion thereof in contact with said body and a portion thereof in contact with said prop, said stay constructed and arranged movably to support said prop relative to said body, said body, prop and stay constructed and arranged whereby the distance between the body-contacting portion and the prop-contacting portion of said stay is changeable when said prop is pivoted about said body, said stay being elongated and having one end pivotably secured to said prop and the other end in sliding frictional engagement with said body, a tab secured to said body, said tab constructed and arranged to be pivoted about a line parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, said tab having a plurality of slits therein disposed generally parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, and

10 the body-contacting portion of said stay constructed and arranged to be threadedly passed through each of said slits in frictional engagement with said tab.

8. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay having a portion thereof in contact with said body and a portion thereof in contact with said prop, said stay constructed and arranged movably to support said prop relative to said body, said body, prop and stay constructed and arranged whereby the distance between the body-contacting portion and the prop-contacting portion of said stay is changeable when said prop is pivoted about said body, said stay being elongated and having one end pivotably secured to said prop and the other end in sliding frictional engagement with said body, a tab secured to said body, said tab constructed and arranged to be pivoted about a line parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, said tab having a plurality of slits therein disposed generally parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, and the body-contacting portion of said stay constructed and arranged to be threadedly passed through each of said slits in frictional engagement with said tab, the edges of said stay being serrated and constructed and arranged to contact said tab at the ends of said slits.

9. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay having a portion thereof in contact with said body and a portion thereof in contact with said prop, said stay constructed and arranged rnovably to support said prop relative to said body, said body, prop and stay constructed and arranged whereby the distance between the body-contacting portion and the prop-contacting portion of said stay is changeable when said prop is pivoted about said body, said stay being elongated and having one end pivotably secured to said prop and the other end in sliding frictional engagement with said body, said stay being formed integrally with said prop and pivoted in relation thereto along a line parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, a tab formed integrally with said body and pivoted about a line parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop and disposed generally parallel to and adjacent one surface or" said body, a plurality of slits in said tab forming stay-engaging retainers, said retainers constructed and arranged frictionally to engage and secure said stay to said body.

10. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay having a portion thereof in contact with said body and a portion thereof in contact with said prop, said stay constructed and arranged movably to support said prop relative to said body, said body, prop and stay constructed and arran ed whereby the distance between the body-contacting portion and the prop-contacting portion of said stay is changeable when said prop is pivoted about said body, said stay being elongated and having one end pivotably secured to said prop and the other end in sliding frictional engagement with said body, said stay being formed integrally with said prop and pivoted in relation thereto along a line parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, a tab formed integrally with said body and pivoted about a line parallel to the hinge-line between said body and said prop and disposed generally parallel to and adjacent one surface of said body, a plurality of slits in said tab forming stay-engaging retainers, said retainers constructed and arranged frictionally to engage and secure said stay to said body, said stay adapted to slide through the slits on said tab in frictional engagement with said retainers, whereby adjustably to support said prop at an angle to said body.

11. A shirbsupport including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay formed from said body and said prop and integrally secured to said prop along a pivot-line parallel with and in spaced relation to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, a tab pivotably secured to said body along a pivot-line parallel 11 to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, said tab folded substantially. 180 about said pivot-line toward said prop, a plurality of slits in said tab, the free end of said stay constructed and arranged to pass through said slits and frictionally to engage said tab and adjustably to support said prop at anangle to said body.

12. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay formed from said body and said prop and integrally secured to said prop along a pivot-line parallel with and in spaced relation to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, a plurality of tabs formed from said body and secured thereto along pivot-lines transverse to the hinge-line be- ..iween said body and said prop, each tab constructed and arranged to be pivoted approximately 180 about its pivot-line into juxtaposition with the other tab, a longitudinal slot in said stay, said stay constructed and arranged to be disposed between the free'ends of said tabs adjacent said slt,-and a tab-connector secured to each of said tabs and passing through said slot and frictionally drawing said tabs in to contact with said stay whereby frictionally and adjustably to support said prop at an angle to said body.

vl3. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a separate elongated stay secured at one end to said prop in spaced relation to the hinge-line between said body and said prop, atleast one slit disposed in said body generally parallel to the hingeline between said body and said prop, the other end of said stay constructed and arranged to pass through said slit and slidably and frictionally to secure said stay to said body whereby adjustably to support said prop at an angle to said body, said stay pivotably secured to said prop whereby the length of said stay intervening said prop and the slit in said body changes when the angle between said prop and said body is changed, said stay being at all times in frictional engagement with said body adjacent the slit therein. 7

, 14. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said-body, a stay pivotably secured at one end to said prop and frictionally engaging said body at its other end, at least one swingable side-member pivoted to said body, a cam-shoulder on said stay and a cam on said swingable member constructed and arranged to contact the cam-shoulder on said stay, said stay constructed and arranged to be movable when said swingable member is pivoted to move the cam along the cam-shoulder, whereby to pivot said prop about the hinge-line between said body and said prop.

15. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a stay pivotably secured at one end to said prop and frictionally engaging said body at its other end, at least one swingable side-member pivoted to said body, a link interconnecting said stay and said swingable member whereby to move said stay and said prop when said swingable member is moved about its pivot.

'16. A shirt-support including a body and a collar-prop hingedly secured to said body, a tensioned stay having one end secured to' said prop and the other end secured to said body, said tensioned stay constructed and arranged to pivot said prop about the hinge-line between said body and said prop to a position transverse to said body, said tensioned stay being relatively untensioned tached edge, said collar-prop being pivotal between a fully-elevated position wherein the free edge of said prop is perpendicular to said body-portion and a fully-depressed position wherein the free edge of said prop is coplanar with said body-portion, a stay pivotally secured to said prop and frictionally secured to said body-portion, said stay and said body-portion being adjustably interconnected whereby the length of said stay intervening said body-portion and said prop is variable, the length of said stay intervening said body-portion and said prop being such that said stay is in frictional engagement with said body-portion at all times and at all positions of said prop, said stay adjustably retaining said prop in any position between its fully elevated position and its fully depressed position through variation of the length of said stay intervening said body-portion and said prop.

18. A shirt-support including a body-portion and a collar-prop pivotally secured to said body-portion, the end of said prop remote from the pivot point having a detached edge, said collar-prop being pivotal between a fully-elevated position wherein the free edge of said prop is perpendicular to said body-portion and a fullydepressed position wherein the free edge of said prop is coplanar with said body-portion, a stay disposed within the included angle through which said prop is pivoted, one end of said stay being secured to said prop, said body-portion having an aperture adapted to frictionally receive the portion of said stay remote from said prop end, said stay portion remote from said prop end being frictionally engaged with the sides of said aperture in said body-portion at all times and at all positions of said prop, the length of said stay intervening said body-portion and said prop being such that said stay adjustably retains said prop in any position between its fully-elevated position and its fullydepressed position through variation of the length of the stay intervening said bodyportion and said prop.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,816,539 Lerman July 28, 1931 1,880,027 Small Sept. 27, 1932 2,057,110 Peiffer Oct. 13, 1936 2,630,948 Liebowitz Mar. 10, 1953 

